The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) identifies five means of access for swimming pools. Of these five, two are considered primary means of access: Pool Lifts and Sloped Entries. Facilities with swimming pools that have less than 300 linear feet of pool wall must use one of the primary means to provide access to their pools. Swimming pools that have more than 300 linear feet of pool wall must provide two means of access, at least one of which must be a primary means.

Primary Means of Access
The two primary means of access, as defined by ADAAG, are swimming pool lifts and sloped entries (including ramps).

Pool lifts must be capable of independent operation by a person with a disability, and must be located where the water level is no deeper than 48 inches. Seats on pool lifts must be a minimum of 16 inches wide and the lift must have a weight capacity of 300 pounds. Additionally, the lift must submerge the user a minimum of 18" below the water level and must be equipped with foot rests. There should be ample clear deck space around the lift to facilitate transfers and the distance from the top of the seat surface to the pool deck should be a minimum of 16 inches.
Sloped entries must comply with ADAAG accessible route provisions. These provisions call for a minimum width of 36" and a maximum slope of 1:12 (1 foot of drop for every 12 feet of run). Sloped entries must extend to a depth of between 24" and 30" below the stationary water level. If the sloped entry is over 30 feet in length, an intermediate landing is required. Landings must be a minimum of 36 inches wide and 60 inches long. Sloped entries must have handrails on both sides. Facilities that use sloped entries are required to provide a mobile aquatic chair designed for pool access.

Secondary Means of Access
There are three approved secondary means of access: Transfer Walls, Transfer Systems and Pool Stairs. Secondary means can only be used on pools that already have a primary means of access in place. Additionally, primary means of access (pool lifts, sloped entries) also qualify as secondary means.
A transfer wall is a wall that allows a person to transfer from their wheelchair onto the pool wall and then into a pool or spa.
Transfer systems consist of a transfer platform and a series of transfer steps that descend into the water. Users transfer from a wheelchair onto the platform, then down into the water using the transfer steps.
Accessible pool stairs help provide balance and support for ambulatory users while transfering from the deck to the swimming pool.
Since secondary means of access can only be used in the presence of a primary means, this report will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of pool lifts and sloped entries.